Any hints for taking the dents out of a Grumman aluminum canoe? It's in great shape other than a few dents.

Question

Also, I'd like to know about what it's worth. It's 30 years old, 15 footer in mostly good shape.

Answer 1

it would take two people but if you have someone hold a 2x4 on the dent with some pressure while you take a ball peen hammer and a Paint stir stick gently tap the stick (as flat as possible) on the outer most portion of the dent working your way around toward the center. Keep min mind Dents don't like to be removed. especially aluminum, you can move more metal with small taps then with one big one,

the stick will help keep the metal from leaving hammer marks,

The reason for the ball peen hammer is because its head isn't as flat as most hammer,s you need a hammer with a slight crown to it.

if the 2x4 doesn't seem to work try a sand Bag,  zip lock bag,s full of sand works well on some dents

Answer 2

a small block of 2x4 as a dolly an a rubber hammer works well  - paste wax works

Answer 3

Does it float? Lol....

That's all that matters. What's a dent here or there? That's not going to crimp your lifestyle.

Its worth? Whatever the market will bear. In summer it will go for a little more than in winter. It is the psychological thingy. So wait for a couple of more months.

Answer 4

yES WAX WILL HELP IT GLIDE OVER ROCKS.  (YOU CAN USE CAR WAX/POLISH!

a RUBBER MALLET IS OFTEN TIMES USEDSUCCESSFULLY, AND A DEADBLOW HAMMER, WITH A PIECE OF WOOD SHAPPED TO A GENTLE CURVE.HELD AGAINST THE HULL WHILE A DEADBLOW HAMMER HITS IT (FROM THE INSIDE OF COURSE.)  iF YOUR CANOE IS 30 YEARS OLD, THE VALUE, ESPECIALLY WITH SOME DENTS, IS PROBABLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 100 TO 125 DOLLARS.  sCRAPP ALUMINUM HERE IS 55  CENTS A POUND, SO AT 80 POUNDS IT WOULD BE WORTH ABOUT $45.00  AS SCRAP.  iF YOU LIKE IT, i WOULD JUST KEEP IT UNTIL IT IS TOTALLY WORN OUT.  i BUILD WOODEN CANOES AND THEY GLIDE OVER ROCKS WITHOUT CATCHING ON THEM.  mY PERSONAL CANOE HAS ABOUT 11,500 MILES ON IT, ALL ON SMALL ROCKY RIVERS IN THE APALACHIAN AND OZARK MOUNTAIN AREAS.  yOU COULD ALSO MIX GRAPHITE POWDER AND EPOXY AND PAINT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR CANOE WITH THAT (AFTER REMOVING THE DENTS) .  THIS WILL PROVIDE A SLICK, ALMOST BULLET PROOF COATING.  jUST SAND THE BOTTOM OF THE HULL BEFORE YOU APPLY THE EPOXY. (WITH A FOAM ROLLER.)  WEST EPOXY IS THE BEST MARINE EPOXY MADE, BAR NONE.  i HAVE SEEN 100 FOOT ONE MILLION DOLLAR BOAT HULLS WITH WEST COVERING EVERYTHING.  IT DRIES CLEAR WHEN APPLIED OVER FIBERGLASS CLOTH, SO YOU CAN SEE THE WOOD GRAIN ON MY CANOES AND KAYAKS.  iT IS AVAILABLE FROM jAMESTOWN FASTENERSSSSSSS, INC OF rHODE iSLAND.  gOOD LUCK AND STAY SAFE!!

Answer 5

Hi, you can use a wet, suction type toilet plunger to pull the dents if they have no sharp creases or scratches;)

Answer 6

Heat helps...propane gently but a heat gun is better...then wood and a rubber mallet.

Graphite or teflon paint is good but if you don't don't want to paint look at waxes...holmenkol is a good one.

Answer 7

i race a hydroplane and i spray on graphite paint bought at napa on all the parts that cause drag. i have a grumman canoe and thats what i'd use on the bottom. i think its called dgf its for coating bearings.